Toy



B. C. REED Jan. 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1958 2,968,120 TOY Bayard "C. Reed, Chicago, Ill., assgnor to Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, lll. Filed Sept. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 759,770 s Claims. (ci. 46-91) The present invention relates generally to a toy and, more particularly, to a oating toy which functions to emit a continuous jet of water incident to an intermittent supply of water to the toy.

This application is a continuation-impart of application S.N. 751,500 filed July 28, 1958, and now abandoned.

A toy in accordance with the present invention is particularly adapted for use by small children, and is designed to provide amusement for such children while taking baths and playing at beaches or pools. The principal object of the invention is the provision of a toy which will emit a continuous jet of water incident to the intermittent supply of water to the toy. A further object of the invention is the provision of a toy which can be operated by a small child and will maintain the interest of such child.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein there is described and shown two embodiments of a toy constructed in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view lof one embodiment of a toy in accordance with the invention as it would appear in a bath tub, or similar container, While emitting a jet of water;

Figure 2 is a sectional front elevational view of the toy shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the check valve of the bulb;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the valve shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toy which incorporates various of the features of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevational view of the toy shown in Figure 5.

Basically, a toy embodying various features of the present invention comprises a vessel which includes means for intermittently forcing Water into the vessel to com-V press the air entrapped therein so as to produce a pressure head, and a conduit extending within the vessel from adjacent the bottom thereof to an aperture or opening in the upper surface of the vessel for emitting a jet of water under the action of the pressure head of compressed air. While this principle may be used for various fanciful arrangements, the two embodiments disclosed herein both include a floating vessel emitting streams or jets of water to produce an action that is interesting and attractive to children.

One embodiment of such a floating toy is indicated by the numeral 3 in Figure 1 and includes a hollow fluid-impervious vessel or body 5 constructed to float on water. A fountainhead 7 is provided on the upper portion of the body and a compressible or flexibly resilient bulb 9 is connected to the lower portion of the body by a suitable hose 1.1. When the bulb 9 is squeezed, water flows from the bulb into the hollow portion of the body 5 whereupon it passes out of the body through the fountainhead 7 to form a spout or jet of water. Means are provided for maintaining a continuous pressure head in the body 5 during` operation, and suitable means are provided for insuring a uni-directional flow of water from the bulb through the fountain head.

More specifically, the body -5 includes a shell 13 and a crown The shell may be formed into two intercontates Patent nected sections, i.e., an upper section 17 and a lower section 19, to form a chamber 21 into which water is pumped when pressure is applied by the bulb 9. In order to create additional attractiveness, the shell sections are preferably fabricated from an opaque material which conceals the internal operation of the toy.

The upper portion 23 of the section 17 is formed in the shape of a dome and includes a vertically disposed tube Z5 which provides a conduit for the passage of water from within the chamber 21 to the fountainhead 7. In this connection, the tube 25 extends downwardly into the interior of the chamber with its lower end in proximity to the lower section 19 so as to enable the formation of a pressure head above the level of the water contained within the lloat, and is formed with notches 26 in its lower extremity to permit water to enter the tube through the sides as well as the end.

Water is admitted into the chamber 21 from the bulb 9'by the provision of an opening 27 in the lower section 19. In this connection, the lower`section 19 is formed with a centrally located nipple 29 to which the hose l1 is connected. In order to prevent the escape of water from the chamber to the bulb, there is provided within the chamber 21 above the openng 27 a valve element or disc 31 which comprises a circular piece of flexible water impervious material. In operation, as the bulb is squeezed, the pressure applied through the water raises the disc 31 in order to enable the water to enter the tloat. However, when pressure on the bulb is released, the pressure within the chamber seals the diaphragm to the portions of the lower section surrounding the opening Z7 to prevent the escape of water. lateral movement within the iloat by an upstanding ange 33 which is provided with a series of notches 3'5 adjacent the upper surface of the section 19 to freely permit circulation of the water. In addition, vertical movement of the diaphragm 3-1 is constricted between section 19 and the tube 25.

The lower portion 37 of the upper section 17 is additionally formed with a circumferential flange 39 having` an inner ring 41 formed with a concave upper surface, and an outer r1ng 43 having a concave lower surface `which overlies and is joined to a suitable oatation ele- 39 to deiine a hollow chamber 47 containing mineral oil or other suitable lluid and in which sh or other suitable floating objects 49 iloat in or on the oil. In this connection, as seen in Figure 2, the concave inner ring includes a hole 51 Ithrough which the mineral oil is added, and in addition, a plug 53 is permanently `sealed inthe hole at the time of manufacture to prevent escape of the mineral oil.

The fountainhead 7 comprises. a fountain piece 55 having a cylindrical or conical body. The lower edge of the fountain piece 55 cooperates with a flange 57 formed in the crown 15 to facilitate the joining of the fountainhead and body 5. The upper portion of the fountain piece 55 includes a hollow pedestal 58 having an opening 59 in its upper surface. Surrounding the opening 59 are a plurality of nozzles 61 having suitable apertures 63 for emitting jets of water. Suitably attached to the base of the fountain piece 55 is a bowl-shaped disc 65 which receives a portion of the emitted water.

Attached to the top of the pedestal 58 is a fanciful figure or statue 67 which, of course, may assume any likeness and, in the illustrated embodiment, is shown as a mermaid holding a small whale or shark. The mouth of the whale may contain a suitable aperture 69 which communicates-with `the opening 59 and whichv emits an4 The diaphragm 31 is restrained from,

additional jet of water, thus adding to the appeal of the toy.

The bulb 9 is connected to the body 5 by means of a hose 11. The bulb is illustrated in one embodiment in the form of a sh, but any configuration which would provide amusement for a child would be suitable, as for example, a submarine. A hole 71 is located in the forward portion of the bulb 9 to receive a check valve 73. The check valve comprises a valve plate 75 and a valve disc 77. The disc 77 is located immediately adjacent to the plate 75 in the interior of the bulb, as illustrated. The plate 75 contains a hole 79, preferably centrally located, through which water leaves the bulb when it is squeezed, and several fluid-inlet slots 81, through which water enters when the bulb is released. Extending outwardly from the mouth of the hole 79 in the valve plate 75 is a tubular projection 82 to which the hose 11 is connected. The valve disc 77 consists of a flexible disc having the conguration of the valve plate 75 and containing a hole 83, also preferably centrally located. 'Ihe valve disc 77 is positioned adjacent to the valve plate 7S so that the hole S3 ofthe valve disc 77 aligns with the hole 79 of the valve plate 75 and the remaining portions of the disc 77 cover the uid inlet slots 81. In a valve thus described, fluid having a tendency to enter the bulb 9 through the lluid inlet slots 31, as when the bulb 9 is released, will create a pressure on the valve disc 77, causing it to ilex slightly and thus leave an opening through which the fluid may pass. However, fluid having a tendency to leave the bulb through the fluid inlet slots 81, as when the bulb is squeezed, will force the valve disc 77 against the plate 75, thus sealing the slots and preventing any fluid from escaping.

In operation, the bulb 9 is squeezed forcing water through the hose 11 and against the valve disc 31, raising the disc and allowing water to flow into the oat. Some of this water passes through the tube 25 and leaves the oat through the apertures 63 in the fountain piece 55. Entering water which does not pass immediately into the tube 25 begins to ll the float, and in doing so, compresses the air which was entrapped in the upper portion of the oat. When the bulb is released, the pressure of the expanding compressed air forces the disc 31 over the water inlet opening 27 and then continues to force Water through the tube for an appreciable length of time, even though the bulb is not squeezed. At the same time, releasing of the pressure on the bulb 9 allows water to enter through the fluid-inlet slots 81, thus lilling the bulb for the next cycle.

Another embodiment of a toy incorporating various features of the present invention is shown in Figure 5, and comprises a boat or vessel 101 which simulates a fire boat and which has a pair of jet emitting apertures for delivering a pair of jet streams 103 of water and means located on the underside of the boat below the water level for forcing entry of water into the boat.

More particularly, the tire boat 101 comprises a hull 105 which has cemented or otherwise joined thereto a deck and superstructure 107 including a deck house 109, a pilot house 111, a funnel 113 and a pair of turrets 115 located to either side of the pilot house 111. Each of the turrets 115 is formed to include a jet aperture 117 which emits a stream of water. As seen particularly in Figure 6, each of the jet apertures 117 is connected to a tube or a conduit 119 which extends downwardly within. the superstructure to adjacent the bottom of the hull 105 below the level of the water in the boat to thereby prevent the escape of the entrapped air incident to the entry of water into the hull so as to afford compression of the entrapped air. The compressed head of entrapped air, in turn, acts to maintain the jet apertures 117 in continuous contact with the water in the hull to thereby outwardly direct a jet of water. Of course, the number and location of the turrets 115 and jet aperture 117 may be varied to provide any fanciful arrangement as desired.

u regard, the application of inwardly directed pressure against the diaphragm 122 places the water in the chamber under pressure and forces the water into the hull 105.

More particularly, the hull is constructed with an opening 123 inthe bottom thereof and with a downwardly depending tlange 125 which surrounds the opening 123 and which forms the side wall of the water inlet chamber 121. The chamber side-wall-forming flange 125 is formed with a series of apertures 127 in order to afford entry of water into the water inlet chamber 121.

Cemented adjacent the inner end of the opening 123 and forming the upper wall of the water inlet chamber 121 is a bridging member 129 which includes a circumferential flange portion 131 joined to the inner surface of the bottom of the hull 105, a circular wall portion 133 extending downwardly from the circumferential ange portion 131 in spaced relation to the chamber side-wall-forming flange 125, and an inwardly directed dome-shaped central portion 135 extending from the bottom of the wall portion 133 and having therein a central opening 137 for admitting passage of water into the hull. The downwardly directed edge 139 formed at the junction of the wall portion 133 and the central portion 135 is formed with a series of transverse notches 141 for admitting water to the inlet chamber 121 from the inlet apertures 127 as will be more fully pointed out.

The bottom wall of the water inlet chamber is formed by the flexible diaphragm 122 which includes a downwardly directed dome-shaped central section 145 and a ange 147 projecting upwardly between the chamber side-wall-forming ange 125 and the circular wall portion 133 of the bridging member 129 and into generally overlying relation to the water inlet apertures 127. The diaphragm 122 is held in position by engagement thereof at the base of the dome-shaped section by an inwardly directed circular lip 149 formed at the bottom of the chamber side-wall-forming flange 125 and by the downwardly directed edge 139 of the bridging member 129. In addition, the dome-shaped section 145 is normally maintained in outwardly directed disposition through the action of a coil spring 150.

'Ihe water which is formed into the hull 105 by pressure against the diaphragm 122 of the water inlet chamber 121 is prevented from flowing out of the hull through the opening 137 by means of a uni-directional valve 151. The valve 151 comprises a circular disc or seal 153 of exible water impervious material which is seated loosely over the opening 137 on the upper surface of the central portion 135 of the bridging member 129. The valve disc 153 is constrained from movement in the lateral direction by action of a plurality of spaced, upstanding ears 155 which extend from the central portion 135 of the bridging member 129, and is constrained from movement in the vertical direction by a finger or rod 157 which is molded integrally with the superstructure and which extends downwardly into closely adjacent relation to the bridging member 129. The disc 153 operates in the same manner as the valve element 31 in the preceding embodiment to afford a flow of pressure water into the hull, but is seated against the area surrounding the opening to prevent the escape of water when the pressure within the hull 105 is greater than that in the water inlet chamber 121.

In operation, the diaphragm 122 serves the double function of sealing the water inlet apertures 127 and forcing the water through the valve 151 into the hull. In this regard, water enters the inlet chamber 121 through the water inlet apertures 127 in the side wall of the chamber and through the transverse notches 141 formed 1n the edge 139 0f the bridging member 129. When nwardly directed pressure is applied to the dome-shaped section 145 of the diaphragm 122, the volume of the chamber is decreased, thus increasing the pressure of the water in the chamber. This increased pressure acts to seat the diaphragm flange 147 against the inlet apertures 127 to prevent escape of the water, and acts to unseat the valve disc 153 to afford entry of the water into the hull to thereby compress the entrapped air and to provide for a continuous jet emission of water from the jet apertures. When the pressure on the diaphragm is released, the force of the head of compressed air acting against the Water in the hull will seat the disc 153 to prevent loss of water from the hull through the opening 137, and the diaphragm flange 147 will move away from the Water inlet apertures 127 to again permit entry of water to fill the chamber 121.

-Numerous changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed construction to achieve certain of the features mentioned herein without departing from the principles of the present invention. Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising a hollow fluid-impervious Vessel having a jet aperture in a portion of its upper surface for delivering a jet of water, means for forcing entry of water into said Vessel including a Water inlet chamber located along the underside of said vessel, said inlet chamber having an opening communicating with said vessel and an aperture affording entry of water into said inlet chamber, a valve associated with said opening for maintaining a uni-directional flow of water into said vessel, and a exible diaphram operating under the application of pressure to seal said water entering aperture and to place the water in said chamber under pressure so as to flow through said valve into said vessel, and a conduit communicating with and extending downwardly in said vessel from said jet aperture in said upper surface to adjacent the bottom of said vessel for preventing the escape of air from said vessel to thereby afford the cornpression of the entrapped air within the upper portion of said vessel, said head of compressed air maintaining the jet aperture in continuous contact with the water in said vessel and forcing the water through said conduit and outwardly of said jet aperture in a jet stream.

2. A toy simulating a fire boat comprising a hollow tuid impervious vessel defined by a hull and a superstructure, said superstructure having mounted thereon a plurality of turrets each being formed with an upwardly directed jet aperture for delivering a jet of water, means for forcing water into said vessel including a flexible diaphragm having a dome-shaped central section forming a portion of a water inlet chamber located on the underside of said vessel, one wall of said chamber including an opening therein communicating with said vessel and having a valve means associated therewith for maintaining a unidirectional low of water into said vessel, another wall of said chamber including a series of apertures for admitting water into said chamber, said apertures being sealed by said diaphragm incident to the application of inwardly directed force against said dome-shape section to place the water in said inlet chamber under pressure and to force the Water through said valve means into said vessel, each of said jet apertures communicating with a conduit eX- tending downwardly in said vessel to the lower portion thereof for preventing the escape of air from said vessel through said aperture as water enters said vessel to thereby afford the compression of the air entrapped within the upper portion of said vessel, said head of compressed air maintaining the jet apertures in continuous contact with the water in said vessel and forcing the water upwardly through said conduits and outwardly through said Jet apertures.

3. A toy comprising a hollow fluid-impervious float having an opening therein, a resilient flexible member connected with said opening in said float for delivering water therein, said oat having an aperture in a portion of its upper surface and a conduit which extends downwardly from the outer perimeter of the apertured portion of said upper surface to the interior of said float for preventing the escape of air from said oat through said aperture as water enters said oat, thereby permitting the compression of the entrapped air within the upper portion of said body, said compressed air maintaining the apertured portion of the upper surface in continuous contact with the water in said float and forcing the water upwardly through said conduit and outwardly through said aperture, and valve means located adjacent said opening for maintaining a uni-directionalflow of water from said member to said float.

4. Aptoy comprising a hollow fluid-impervious body having a first aperture therein, and a resilient compressible bulb connected with said tirst aperture for delivering water to the interior of 4said body incident to the application of pressure to said bulb, said bulb having suitable openings for the entrance of water therein incident to the release of the applied pressure and valve means preventing the discharge of water through said openings incident to the application of pressure to said bulb, said body including a second aperture located in a portion of its upper surface of suitable cross section so as to permit water to spout therefrom while maintaining a suiiicient pressure head, a conduit extending downwardly from the outer perimeter of the apertured portion of said upper surface to the interior of said body for preventing the escape of air from said body through said aperture as water enters said body to thereby aiord the compression of air within the upper portion of said body, said head of compressed air maintaining the apertured portion of the upper surface in continuous contact with the water in said body and forcing water upwardly through said conduit and outwardly through said aperture, and valve means for maintaining a uni-directional ow of water from said bulb to said body.

5. A toy comprising a hollow huid-impervious body having a rst aperture therein, and a resilient compressible bulb connected with said first aperture for delivering water to the interior of said body incident to the application of pressure to said bulb, said bulb having suitable openings for the entrance of water therein incident to the release of the applied pressure and valve means preventing the flow of water through said openings from said bulb incident to the application of pressure to said bulb, said body including a fanciful ligure carried on its upper surface and a plurality of upwardly directed nozzles surrounding said ligure, said nozzles communicating with the interior of said body through a second aperture therein to permit the dischargeof water from said body, a conduit extending downwardly from the outer perimeter of said second aperture to the interior of said body for pre venting the escape of air from said body through said nozzles as water enters said body to thereby afford the compression of air within the upper portion of said body, said head of compressed air maintaining said nozzles in continuous contact with the water in said body and forcing water upwardly through said conduit and outwardly through said nozzles, and valve means for maintaining a uni-directional ow of water from said bulb to said body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,758,418 Troppe Aug. 14, 1956 2,801,850 Yount Aug. 6, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 963,137 Germany May 2, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES German application, 1,023,707, printed Jan. 30, 1958. 

